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Tag: Dele Alake

Minister Dele Alake Calls for Closure of Nigerian Schools Charging Tuition in Foreign Currencies

Wale busari04 mins

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for the closure of Nigerian schools that charge tuition fees in foreign currencies, describing the practice as a significant drain on the nation’s economy. Alake made the remarks during the Nigeria Gold Day Celebration, held alongside the 10th edition of Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja on Wednesday. The event carried the theme “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance.” “I am going to propose to the Federal Executive Council that all schools in Nigeria charging in foreign currencies should be shut down,” Alake said, condemning the practice as one of several economic loopholes that hinder national development. He highlighted the scale of the issue, noting that many parents pay enormous sums in foreign currency for school fees. “If your child is attending a school in Abuja or Lagos paying 10,000 pounds or 10,000 dollars, you then have to convert naira to dollars, driving the value of the dollar up. You can’t establish a school in the UK and charge in naira; it’s only in this country that such contradictions harm the economy,” he lamented. Alake also emphasized the need for Nigerians to focus on productive, constructive, and regenerative activities that contribute to national growth. The minister further outlined government efforts to curb financial leakages within Nigeria’s gold sector, including the adoption of digital systems to reduce cash transactions, limit corruption, and position Nigerian gold as a globally credible medium of exchange. He explained that the National Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP), part of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) and administered through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), allows the government to buy gold directly from artisanal miners in naira, helping boost foreign reserves and stabilise the naira. Hajia Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Director of the SMDF, noted that gold exploration funding in Nigeria is increasing, contrary to global trends. She urged stakeholders to capitalise on Nigeria’s gold resources and support initiatives aimed at making the country a top destination for junior miners. The Nigeria Mining Week, which runs from October 13 to 15, is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the VUKA Group.  

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Dele Alake Triples Security Following Death Threats Over Revoked Mining Licences

Wale busari04 mins

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has boosted his personal security after receiving multiple death threats from individuals and companies whose mining licences were revoked for failing to comply with government regulations. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the 10th Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja, Alake said the threats, including direct text messages to his phone, became so serious that he had to triple the number of armed personnel protecting him. The event, scheduled for October 13 to 15, 2025, will gather policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders under the theme “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance” to evaluate the sector’s growth. Alake said his strict enforcement of long-neglected mining laws and revocation of dormant licences had angered some powerful individuals and companies. “I’ve had to triple my security because of threats from those whose licences were revoked,” he said. “One even sent me a text message directly threatening me.” He added that some affected parties have resorted to intimidation, media attacks, and blackmail to stop the reforms. “They’ve tried everything to make us reverse our decisions. But we are battle-hardened and will not retreat,” he said. Under Alake’s leadership, 3,794 mining titles have been revoked, including 1,263 licences in the last two years. Expanding his security detail goes against President Bola Tinubu’s directive limiting ministers to five security personnel and three convoy vehicles as part of federal cost-cutting measures. The minister said the crackdown targets inactive licence holders to restore transparency and credibility to the sector. “We found operators holding licences for over a decade without paying fees or carrying out exploration,” he said. “Enforcing these regulations is essential to stop this impunity.” Alake also revealed that some companies have threatened international arbitration after failing to meet local requirements. “One firm that hasn’t paid fees for years is now threatening international arbitration. I want to see a court side with a company that violated our laws,” he said. Describing the threats as “the price of reform,” Alake said the ministry would continue its efforts to sanitize the solid minerals industry. “This is about principle, not personality. We cannot keep doing things the same way and expect different results,” he said. He noted that the ministry is enforcing the “use it or lose it” clause in mining licences, similar to global land ownership rules. “Just as a certificate of occupancy requires development within a set time, mining licences must be used or forfeited,” he explained.  

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